Abstract
Background
The cause of low levels of physical activity (PA) in the post stroke population is complex and multifactorial. The volume of research in the area of physical activity and stroke is vast, coupled with complexities with respect to definitions of physical activity. The current UK clinical guidelines (National Institute of Care and Excellence NICE 2013 and Royal College of Physicians RCP 2016) are broad in their advice with respect to implementation strategy dimensions* across the stroke pathway of care**. In response, our aim for this scoping review is to gain an overview of the evidence, describing the focus in relation to population demographics*** across the stroke pathway of care and the implementation strategy dimensions being utilised in physical activity interventions.
* Implementation strategy dimensions extracted in this scoping review include physical activity specific dimensions (mode, frequency, duration, intensity), domains (occupational, domestic, transport, leisure time) and provider (who delivers the intervention).
** Stroke pathway of care refers to the setting in which the intervention occurred (e.g. acute care, primary health care or community).
***Population demographics include severity of stroke, physical or cognitive impairment level, gender, classification of stroke; acute, subacute, chronic and variation of time since onset of stroke
Methods and analysis: This scoping review protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/vjfp4). The review will follow Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology. The search will include relevant systematic reviews from a range of electronic databases, followed by title and abstract screening as well as a full text review. All review steps will involve two or more reviewers. Data extraction, charting and summary will be guided by a template aligned to the study objectives. Findings will be presented in tabular format and will include a descriptive numerical summary as well as a descriptive overview.
Ethics and dissemination: Findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations and as part of future workshops and events with professionals involved in physical activity and stroke. The scoping review does not require ethics approval.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Claire McFeeters
Mrs Claire McFeeters has been working clinically as a physiotherapist in neurorehabilitation for over 15 years and has experience working with a diverse range of patients with neurological conditions. Claire started her academic career lecturing at Ulster University in 2013 and coordinates the undergraduate physiotherapy education in Neurology. This knowledge and experience led Claire to the development of her PhD topic in Physical activity in stroke.
Katy Pedlow
Dr Katy Pedlow is a neurological physiotherapist with a specific interest in rehabilitation. Katy was awarded her PhD in rehabilitation sciences from Ulster University in 2013. After working in the clinical setting, Katy returned to Ulster University in 2017 as a lecturer. Katy’s PhD concentrated on the use of CIMT and this has stimulated her interest in intensive rehabilitation protocols to enhance the recovery and function of the upper limb in people with acquired brain injury (including stroke). Since then Katy developed interest in translation and adaption of research into the clinical setting. This research has extended to the development and use of computer based technology to enhance upper limb recovery in stroke survivors living in the community.
Niamh Kennedy
Dr Niamh Kennedy is a cognitive neuroscientist with specific interest in the neurophysiology of recovery of motor control post stroke and brain injury using non-invasive methods of stimulation. Her research has actively involved looking at the recovery of individuals with stroke and brain injury, the interaction between motor, sensory and cognitive aspects of behaviour.
Heather Colquhoun
Ass Prof Heather Colquhoun studies the methodologies used to design and report scoping reviews. Her work as a knowledge translation (KT) scientist is currently focussed on measuring care gaps in rehabilitation, designing KT interventions to close gaps with a focus on audit and feedback, and developing and applying theories and frameworks to improve our ability to design effective KT interventions.
Suzanne McDonough
Prof Suzanne McDonough is an expert in the development and evaluation of rehabilitation interventions in clinical populations with movement challenges (e.g. due to pain, neurological injury, ageing etc.). She has published widely in her area of expertise (over 100 papers; H-index > 35), presented at international conferences; and has obtained funding from a variety of national and international sources.